Breast cancer is the common and mostly the fatal cancer disease in women and the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. It is the most frequent diagnosed cancer in women and the second in ranking cause of death globally. Breast cancer does not strike an individual alone but the whole family unit, because it causes are thought to be hereditary, meaning that they are inherited from a parent or any member of the family.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the breast. But sometimes the cancer cell spread outside the breast to the other parts of the body. The Malignant tumour is made up of cancerous cells, which have the ability to spread by travelling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system (lymph fluid).
Research has shown that most women will never get breast cancer. A woman’s risk of breast cancer depends on her age and other risk factors. Most women who get breast cancer have no risk factors other than growing older.
A medical practitioner, Dr Abdullateef Ayinde of Salam hospital, Suleja explains that any woman of reproductive age should from time to time have self-breast examination, that is facing the mirror and also looking at the two breast at the same time.
He said that some people have no symptoms but if you do, you may notice some changes in your breast. Breast changes don’t necessarily mean you have the disease. However if you have any symptoms, have it checked by a doctor without any delay.
He continue by saying, breast cancer have a family tendency, in fact any individual whose family have history of breast cancer, for instance close relatives such as mother, father, sister or daughter that was diagnosed with breast cancer is also at risk of having it but having such family history does not necessary mean that you will develop breast cancer.
Dr Ayinde also stated that some symptoms of breast cancer includes, having unusual breast changing; a lump, lumpiness or thickening, changes in the nipple such as a change in the shape or redness, unusual discharge, changes in the skin of the breast, such as dimpling, an increase or decrease in the size of the breast, swelling or discomfort in the armpit.
He noted that if any of these symptoms appear, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately without any delay. Also some women have no symptoms at all and also their cause of breast cancer is yet unknown.
Other symptoms are lump or mass, a painless or hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft or rounded it can also be painful.
So it is advisable that any moment you feel there is a lump in your breast, you should hurry and see a doctor so that it can be removed.
‘’Hormones seems to play a role in many cases of breast cancer, but it is not yet known of fully understood. Also through some genes that control our cells grow. Genes that speed up cell division are called oncogenes; the gene in a woman that make the individual to be disposed, also someone that smoke much are likely to have cancer, high rate of fat, too much exposing the skin to strong sunlight, drinking alcohol develop the risk of having breast cancer of several types, night working also increase the rate of breast cancer (over stress),’’ he further explained.
Others that slow down the cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumour suppressor genes. With this tumour suppressor genes can cause normal breast cells to become cancerous, when one of these genes is mutated, it no longer suppresses abnormal growth and cancer is more likely to develop.
Although there is no yet how to prevent breast cancer, but there are steps to take that might lower the dangers in having it. For instance, physical activity, diet, body weight (obesity) if someone is obese is rises the risk of developing breast cancer so the easiest way of preventing breast cancer is by not allowing yourself to be overweight.
Also taking drugs (Chemoprevention) like fenretinide, a retinoid, tamoxifen and Aromatase and many more can be of help to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Finally it is advisable for women to always consult a doctor whenever they feel any changes or lump in them.
